Perfect Days (2023)

“The world is made up of many worlds; some are connected, and some are not.”

Perfect Days is one of those films that gently pulls you into its world, urging you to slow down and savour the little moments that often pass us by unnoticed. Directed by the legendary Wim Wenders, this quiet gem of a movie paints a portrait of Hirayama, a middle-aged man who spends his days cleaning toilets in Tokyo. Sounds mundane, right? But trust me, there's so much beauty to be found in the simplicity of his routine.

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Koji Yakusho's performance as Hirayama is nothing short of mesmerizing. As I watched him navigate through his daily rituals with such grace and calmness, I couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with this character. Yakusho's subtle expressions and gestures speak volumes, capturing the essence of Hirayama's inner world—a world filled with both contentment and longing. His love for trees and appreciating them where he goes and being in the moment, is something I could resonate with him the most.

What struck me most about this film is its ability to find profundity in the usual things we do day-to-day. From Hirayama's quiet moments of reflection to his unexpected encounters with strangers, each scene is steeped with a sense of gentle emotions throughout. As the film unfolds, revealing hints of Hirayama's past and the complexities of his present, I found myself drawn deeper into his story, exploring the delicate balance between stability and change in our own lives.

Perfect Days is a beautiful film - a soothing balm for the soul in a world that often feels too chaotic to bear.

TSHC Score: 8.5/10